Day 5: The Origins of Light
New Testament: Luke 10:36-37
Old Testament: Proverbs 3:27-28
When we get to the end of the story of the “Good” Samaritan, most readers think to themselves, “Ahh yes, a good neighbor does the good deed.”
I did—I even had the smiley-faced decal on my RV to show I was one of the “Good” people (and get my 10% discount in 48 states).
But let’s pause here for a moment. I had originally intended (earlier this week) to dig into the point that the title of this parable is dripping with racism… but I’ve since decided to save that for another day.
Instead, by Tuesday, God had me focusing on some different words.
On day two, I wrote this: “Jesus reminds us that loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves, is at the very core of our faith.”
A few hours later, I got to thinking about Charlie Kirk, who was tragically killed for having a deep “core” to his faith.
I’ve been stuck in that moment all week.
Historical Context:
Nicodemus came to mind—he and his clandestine visit to see Jesus in the middle of the night (John 3:1-21). Nicodemus was a member of the elite Sanhedrin—the Jewish ruling council.
Nicodemus was part of the body in the Jewish faith responsible for holding the “core” of their tradition together. For teaching the core beliefs and traditions.
Jesus shook him—to the core!
Like the lawyer in our parable, Nicodemus knew the “law” and the Shema prayer—but unlike the feisty barrister challenging Jesus, he was open to dig deeper, to get to the “core” of Jesus’ teachings.
Right away, Jesus tells him he has to be “born again,” and I think that’s when poor Nicodemus got lost. His big and busy brain was spinning so fast he could not comprehend.
Verse 11 (John 3:11):
“Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.”
John 3:20:
“Everyone who does evil hates the light…”
This is why Charlie Kirk was killed!
Sit in that for a moment…
John 3:21:
“But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
Let’s get back to Jesus and the pompous lawyer with this verse from John’s Gospel (3:21) in your brain—hold it there. It's the previous sentence….
Now hear Jesus telling the lawyer: “Do this and you will live.”
Read John 3:21 again (above).
Now hear Jesus finish our story in Luke 10:37: “Go and do likewise.”
Maybe do this a few times until you see where this is going.
Still have that verse in your head? Good—one more exercise.
If we skip to the last conversation Jesus has with Pontius Pilate (John 18:38)—how does that conversation end? What is the last thing said? Yes - you have to go look it up.
This is why Pilate killed Jesus!
Modern Context:
We live in a world where too few hold core values deeply rooted in the truth of the Good News (Gospel).
Today, as we journey through our worldly season (our epoch), we live in a period of confusion, chaos, and uncertainty. This is all by design.
The Apostle Paul saw the same thing in his worldly season (first century). Our world is “designed” and controlled by the “principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness, the spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).
The struggle for our time is against these forces – not other people.
That is WHO killed Charlie Kirk!
Reflection
But the good news is…the Good News!
The other good news is that we have one foundational source of “The Truth.”
Jesus said, “Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light.” Let us be light bearers!
How? Well, first, we need to be like Nicodemus—humble ourselves and recognize that our knowledge of the truth is limited, but available.
What did Nicodemus do? He went to the source of truth.
“Do this, and you will have eternal life!” (Luke 10:28b)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for another reminder of what we do not know.
Lord, I seek to know the fullness of Your truth so that I may live in Your light.
Grant me the wisdom to have patience as we deepen our core of understanding.
Grant me the fullness of Your mercy as we struggle through our discernment of the Word.
Grant me the steady guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead me out of the darkness of uncertainty, confusion, and chaos in the world.
Let me live fully in the truth—so that I may become a bringer of the light.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
New Testament: Luke 10:36-37
Old Testament: Proverbs 3:27-28
When we get to the end of the story of the “Good” Samaritan, most readers think to themselves, “Ahh yes, a good neighbor does the good deed.”
I did—I even had the smiley-faced decal on my RV to show I was one of the “Good” people (and get my 10% discount in 48 states).
But let’s pause here for a moment. I had originally intended (earlier this week) to dig into the point that the title of this parable is dripping with racism… but I’ve since decided to save that for another day.
Instead, by Tuesday, God had me focusing on some different words.
On day two, I wrote this: “Jesus reminds us that loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves, is at the very core of our faith.”
A few hours later, I got to thinking about Charlie Kirk, who was tragically killed for having a deep “core” to his faith.
I’ve been stuck in that moment all week.
Historical Context:
Nicodemus came to mind—he and his clandestine visit to see Jesus in the middle of the night (John 3:1-21). Nicodemus was a member of the elite Sanhedrin—the Jewish ruling council.
Nicodemus was part of the body in the Jewish faith responsible for holding the “core” of their tradition together. For teaching the core beliefs and traditions.
Jesus shook him—to the core!
Like the lawyer in our parable, Nicodemus knew the “law” and the Shema prayer—but unlike the feisty barrister challenging Jesus, he was open to dig deeper, to get to the “core” of Jesus’ teachings.
Right away, Jesus tells him he has to be “born again,” and I think that’s when poor Nicodemus got lost. His big and busy brain was spinning so fast he could not comprehend.
Verse 11 (John 3:11):
“Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.”
John 3:20:
“Everyone who does evil hates the light…”
This is why Charlie Kirk was killed!
Sit in that for a moment…
John 3:21:
“But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
Let’s get back to Jesus and the pompous lawyer with this verse from John’s Gospel (3:21) in your brain—hold it there. It's the previous sentence….
Now hear Jesus telling the lawyer: “Do this and you will live.”
Read John 3:21 again (above).
Now hear Jesus finish our story in Luke 10:37: “Go and do likewise.”
Maybe do this a few times until you see where this is going.
Still have that verse in your head? Good—one more exercise.
If we skip to the last conversation Jesus has with Pontius Pilate (John 18:38)—how does that conversation end? What is the last thing said? Yes - you have to go look it up.
This is why Pilate killed Jesus!
Modern Context:
We live in a world where too few hold core values deeply rooted in the truth of the Good News (Gospel).
Today, as we journey through our worldly season (our epoch), we live in a period of confusion, chaos, and uncertainty. This is all by design.
The Apostle Paul saw the same thing in his worldly season (first century). Our world is “designed” and controlled by the “principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness, the spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).
The struggle for our time is against these forces – not other people.
That is WHO killed Charlie Kirk!
Reflection
But the good news is…the Good News!
The other good news is that we have one foundational source of “The Truth.”
Jesus said, “Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light.” Let us be light bearers!
How? Well, first, we need to be like Nicodemus—humble ourselves and recognize that our knowledge of the truth is limited, but available.
What did Nicodemus do? He went to the source of truth.
“Do this, and you will have eternal life!” (Luke 10:28b)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for another reminder of what we do not know.
Lord, I seek to know the fullness of Your truth so that I may live in Your light.
Grant me the wisdom to have patience as we deepen our core of understanding.
Grant me the fullness of Your mercy as we struggle through our discernment of the Word.
Grant me the steady guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead me out of the darkness of uncertainty, confusion, and chaos in the world.
Let me live fully in the truth—so that I may become a bringer of the light.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
Posted in Pentecost 2025
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